DISCIPLESHIP

HOMEGROUPS – Christ Church

A home group is a small meeting for a specific purpose such as Prayer, Bible Study, Friendship, Outreach, though not all at the same time! Being in a home situation means that the atmosphere is relaxed and informal with numbers restricted to 10 – 15 people. This gives everyone the opportunity to share and speak on any topic that is on their mind. We meet during the week, day or evening. The groups are always welcoming and open to anyone.

For dates and what we shall be doing, please ask anyone at one of our services, look for details in our weekly Newsheet or monthly Christ Church Chronicle or visit/contact the Benefice Office, details below.

BAPTISM / THANKSGIVING
We provide a range of services at both Christ Church, Nailsea and St Quiricus and St Julietta, Tickenham. For example:

Baptism is sometimes called Christening. We usually have one Baptismal service each month which are normally arranged for Sunday mornings at 12:00pm, ie outside the Sunday morning service; however, we are equally happy to welcome your child and his/her family to join with us at our morning service. During the Baptism Preparation, we take parents through the service and show them the inside of our church; we point out little things like the font being near the door of a church because baptism is the entrance in to Christian Faith. We talk about the importance of choosing Godparents who will do their best to keep the promises. We take them through the promises, which can lead to some very interesting conversations!

Following baptism, we give each child a candle, reminding them of their baptism, and that Jesus is the light of the world and that in baptism the child is brought from darkness of a sinful world into the light of Christ. Each family is invited to receive a Bible for their child; this is not given at the baptism but at a Sunday morning service, which they attend after the baptism, when they are welcomed into the family of the church.

If you are interested in exploring the Christian faith, or finding out more about preparation for Baptism, you can ask anyone at one of our services or visit/contact the Benefice Office, details above.

THANKSGIVING FOR THE BIRTH OF A CHILD

The birth or adoption of a child is a cause for celebration. Many people are overcome by a sense of awe at the creation of new life and want to express their thanks to God. This service provides an opportunity for parents and families to give thanks for the birth or adoption of a child and to pray for family life. It may be a private celebration at home or in hospital, or it may be a public celebration in church, sometimes with a number of children.

There is still a preparation evening to make arrangements, the child can still have sponsors and is presented with a bible at the service. This service is not the same as Baptism, which is the sacrament of initiation into membership of the Church, the Body of Christ. If you are interested in exploring the Christian faith, or finding out more about Thanksgiving services, you can ask anyone at one of our services or visit/contact the Benefice Office, details above.

BAPTISM OF A YOUNG PERSON OR ADULT

We are happy to welcome anyone wishing to undergo Baptism, which is the sacrament of initiation into membership of the Church, the Body of Christ. If you have not been baptised in the Church of England before and not undertaken any other initiation into the Church of Christ via another Christian denomination, please ask anyone at one of our services or visit/contact the Benefice Office, details above.

CONFIRMATION

Confirmation marks the point in the Christian journey at which you affirm for yourself the faith into which you have been baptised and you make public your intention to live a life of committed discipleship. This affirmation is confirmed through prayer and the laying on of hands by the confirming bishop. The Bishop, on behalf of the Church also asks God to give you power through the Holy Spirit to enable you to live as a follower of Jesus.

The confirmation service will be led by the bishop. It may take place during the main Sunday service at our own church or at a special service. It may also take place at the cathedral or in another church in our diocese.

The Church of England has two authorized confirmation services. One is taken from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer and is in 17th century English. Most confirmations use a service in contemporary English, taken from Common Worship (2000).

Confirmation classes are usually held annually. Please look for details in our weekly Newsheet or monthly Christ Church Chronicle or visit/contact the Benefice Office, details above.